Freshwater Mussels: The Livers of our Rivers

Freshwater mussels serve as "livers" for the aquatic ecosystem, filtering out algae, pollutants, and even some viruses. Meet Sean Keogh, Collections Manager of Invertebrate Zoology, and view shells and fluid preserved specimens from the museum's collection to learn about the natural history of freshwater mussels and the vital ecological role they play in the health of our rivers.

During Meet a Scientist, you can find them in the Grainger Science Hub. They'll discuss their work and share real items from the museum’s collection of nearly 40 million objects. From collections care to field work, and dinosaurs to ecology, there’s a world of science to explore.

Visit the Science Hub on select weekdays for an up-close look at what our researchers do every day.